Staff Writer

As Government intensifies its efforts to contain and combat the spread of COVID-19, cabinet has supported proposals for the Presidential pardon to prisoners as part of efforts to decongest facilities which have surpassed the recommended carrying capacity.

According to the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, cabinet approved the proposed General Amnesty, which sets to decongest the prison institution whose population currently stands at 20 407 against the prison’s holding capacity of 17 000.

Speaking during a post cabinet briefing, Minister Mutsvangwa said that the overpopulation already posed a health hazard, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic, hence the recommended measures intended to curtail the spread of the disease.

“The Proposed General Amnesty is targeted at all prisoners who have   served at least one third of their sentences, save for those convicted of specified offences such as the following: murder, treason, rape or any sexual offence, carjacking, robbery, stock theft, and public violence.

“There shall be full remission of sentence to be granted to all prisoners who would have served life imprisonment for at least 15 years commutation,” she said.

Section 112 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe empowers the President after consultation with the cabinet, to exercise the power of mercy to grant pardon to any person concerned in or convicted of an offence against the law.

This is the second time that cabinet has had to institute this provision since the covid19 outbreak in the country.